B-J to Auction Mopar Muscle for Darrell Gwynn Foundation

Written by Auction News

Las Vegas, NV (November 4, 2008) -– Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, entertainer Bill Goldberg, and YearOne unveiled a spectacular 1970 NASCAR Plymouth Road Runner Superbird tribute car today that will be sold at No Reserve Jan. 17, 2009, for charity. Mr. Goldberg revved up the crowd when he uncovered the Superbird tribute during the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and announced that the MOPAR will be auctioned during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz., which will take place Jan. 11-18, 2009. All proceeds from the sale of the Superbird tribute (Lot #1289) will benefit the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, which exists to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses.

“This car represents an amazing era,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “Someone will end up with a rare custom muscle car built to vintage NASCAR specifications by one of the premier shops in the world. From the ‘all-business’ engine to the distinctive lines, it’s a salute to an era when drivers like Richard Petty helped put NASCAR on the map. This Superbird tribute will be one of the stars of our 2009 Scottsdale event, with all proceeds being donated to our dear friend Darrell Gwynn and his wonderful foundation.”

The black and blue custom Superbird was built by YearOne in Braselton, Ga., in conjunction with Gillette Evernham Motorsports, Musclecar TV and former pro wrestler, actor and auto enthusiast Bill Goldberg. The car pays homage to the legendary muscle cars that dominated stock car racing in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. Period-correct NASCAR modifications include raising the transmission tunnel, moving the rear springs inboard, a stout X-brace to tie the sub-frames together, wheel tubs and a generous radius of the wheel openings. A full roll cage and NASCAR-style bare bones interior round out the Superbird tribute.

While the body is all retro, the power is ultra modern. Gillette Evernham Motorsports contributed a NASCAR-spec 358cid Dodge engine that produces nearly 800 horsepower. It includes a feather-weight Tex Racing 4-speed manual transmission feeding an 8 ¾-inch rear.

“Bill Goldberg approached us with an idea to re-create a Superbird that would be as close to a genuine racecar as possible, but streetable,” said Kevin King, president of YearOne. “After nearly 4,000 hours of labor and contributions from motorsports powerhouses like Gillette Evernham, the NASCAR Superbird was reborn. And we couldn’t think of a better way to top off this amazing build than to auction it off for a worthy cause.”

The Superbird tribute will be displayed in the Barrett-Jackson booth (#21239) throughout the 2008 SEMA Show alongside Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 DuPont NASCAR Monte Carlo (Lot #1274). The race car was driven by Gordon 14 times during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, winning the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway July 19, 2006, and the Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Oct. 13, 2007. It will also cross the block in January during Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event.